Passenger Car Engine Test Category For API SM

Requirements 

Test Method

Properties

Unit

Limits 

SM/EC
GF-4

1. LABORATORY TESTS

1.1 Viscosity Grades

All those that apply, typically SAE 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30. Per SAE J300 specification

Manufacturer sets targets within SAE J300 parameter 

1.2 Foam Test
(Option A)

ASTM D892




ASTM D6082

Sequence I

ml initial
Foam/ml
after settling 

10/0 max

Sequence II

50/0 max

Sequence III

10/0 max

Sequence IV

100/0 max

1.3 Phosphorus

ASTM D4951

 %

0.06 min
0.08 max⁽¹⁾

1.4 EOFT

ASTM D6795

% reduction

50 max

1.5 EOWTT

ASTM D6794

with 0.6% Water

% reduction

50 max

with 1.0% Water

% reduction

50 max

with 2.0% Water

% reduction

50 max

with 3.0% Water

% reduction

50 max

1.6 TEOST (MHT4)

Total Deposits

mg

35 max⁽²⁾

1.7 Homogeneity and Miscibility

ASTM D6922

pass

1.8 Scanning Brookfield

ASTM D5133

Gelation Index

12 max

1.9 Volatility

ASTM D5800

Volatility (Noack)

% off @ 250°C

15 max

ASTM D6417

Volatility (GCD)

% off @ 371°C

10 max

1.10 BRT

ASTM D6557

Rust rating

Avg Gray Value

100 min

1.11 Sulfur

ASTM D4951 or

Sulfur content of 0W and 5W multigrades

%

0.5 max⁽³⁾

ASTM D2622

Sulfur content of 10W multigrades

%

0.7 max

2. ENGINE TESTS FOR API SM

2.1 Sequence IIIG

Viscosity increase at 100 hours

%

150 max

Average weighted piston deposits

merits

3.5 min

Hot stuck rings

#

none

Average cam plus lifter wear

microns

60 max

2.2 Sequence IIIGA

Aged oil low temperature viscosity
using ASTM D4684

Meet requirements of the
original grade or the next
higher grade⁽⁴⁾

2.3 Sequence IVA

ASTM D6891

Cam wear average

microns

90 max

2.4 Sequence VG

ASTM D6593

Average engine sludge

merits

7.8 min

Rocker arm cover sludge

merits

8.0 min

Average piston skirt varnish

merits

7.5 min

Average engine varnish

merits

8.9 min

Oil screen clogging

%

20 max

Hot stuck rings

 #

none

Cold stuck rings

#

rate & report

Oil ring clogging

%

rate & report

Follower pin wear, cyl #8, avg

microns

rate & report

Ring gap increase, cyl #1 & #8, avg

microns

rate & report

Oil screen debris

% area

rate & report

2.5 Sequence VIII

ASTM D6709

Bearing weight loss

mg

26 max

10 hr. stripped viscosity

cSt

Stay in grade

2.6 Sequence VIB

ASTM D6837

SAE 0W-20 and 5W-20 viscosity grades

% FEI1/%FEI2

2.3 / 2.0 min

SAE 0W-30 and 5W-30 viscosity grades

% FEI1/%FEI2

1.8 / 1.5 min

SAE 10W-30 and all other viscosity grades

% FEI1/%FEI2

1.1 / 0.8 min

Limits for SM Non-ILSAC GF-4 viscosity grades:
⁽¹⁾ 0.06 min, no max
⁽²⁾ 45 max
⁽³⁾ Not Req.
⁽⁴⁾ Not Req.